Geoffrey Chaucer Childhood and Life
Geoffrey Chaucer Childhood and Life
The exact location and date of Geoffrey Chaucers birth are still uncertain, but it was believed that he was born sometime around 1343 in London. His father and grandfather both were influential London vintners. His father, John Chaucer married his mother, Agnes Copton in 1349 and inherited considerable amount of properties in London from her uncle, Hamo de Copton. In 1357, Chaucer became the page of Elizabeth de Burgh, the Countess of Ulster. Apart from working as a courtier, a diplomat, and a civil servant, he also worked for the king, collecting and inventorying scrap metal. In 1359, when Edward III invaded France, Chaucer traveled with Lionel of Antwerp, Elizabeths husband, as part of the English army. He was captured during the siege of Rheims in 1360. Chaucer was later released after paying a ransom of £16. There are uncertainties regarding the next activities in his life, but it was believed that he traveled to France, Spain and Flanders, possibly as a messenger. It was even said that he perhaps went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Chaucer married Philippa (de) Roet around 1366. She was the sister of Katherine Swynford, who later became the third wife of John of Gaunt. She was also a lady-in-waiting to Edward IIIs queen, Philippa of Hainault. The actual number of his children is still uncertain, but there are accounts of four of them. They namely were Thomas Chaucer, Elizabeth Chaucy, Agnes and Lewis Chaucer.
On 20 June 1367, Chaucer became a member of the royal court of Edward III as a varlet de chamber. His wife was also receiving a court payment. Due to his role as a valet, he traveled abroad many times. His famous book, “The Book of the Duchess” came in this period. This book was dedicated to Blanche of Lancaster, the late wife of John of Gaunt, who died in 1369. The next year in 1370, Chaucer traveled to Picardy as part of a military expedition. He visited Genoa and Florence in 1373. Few scholars believe that on this Italian trip, he came in contact with Petrarch or Boccaccio. He was introduced to medieval Italian poetry, whose effects were seen later in his forms and stories. On 8 June 1374, Chaucer started his job of Comptroller of the Customs for the port of London. He worked at this post for the next twelve years. His most famous written works were produced in this period only. In 1378, Chaucer was sent by Richard II as an envoy to the Visconti and to Sir John Hawkwood, English condottiere (mercenary leader) in Milan. Chaucer was still working as comptroller when he moved to Kent after being appointed as one of the commissioners of peace for Kent. In early 1380s he started working on his most famous work, “The Canterbury Tales”.
In 1386, Chaucer became a Member of Parliament for Kent. His wife is believed to have died in